Mark Twain Home in Hartford in financial trouble again

"The Lack of Money is the Root of all Evil" by Mark Twain

There was a story on Sunday Morning on CBS about the severe financial problems of the Mark Twain House that might cause it to close down. I made a mental note to visit the Mark Twain house on my next visit to see my parents who live nearby. I grew up in West Hartford and have many fond memories of the Mark Twain Home (see previous post.) Many people only associate Mark Twain with Hannibal, Missouri, but Twain wrote most of his best books in the Farmington Avenue home: Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, Innocents Abroad and many others. He moved to Hartford to be near his new publisher. The house has interiors by Tiffany before he got into stained glass. It has many of the artifacts from Mark Twain's time there including, the items on the mantel in the library where he would make up new stories for his daughters with each item.

There are many similarities to the financial problems today and the financial problems Samuel Clemens had during his lifetime. The house was built with his wife Livvy's inheritance and some money from a recent book.. To make money, Samuel Clemens invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a new type-setting machine. Unfortunately, only a few machines were made and he lost all his money. There was also a financial Depression in the 1890's and Samuel Clemens was broke. He went on a speaking tour of Europe to recoup some of his money, but financial problems and the death of of one of his daughters made them leave their dream house.

In a parallel situation, the Mark Twain Home lived beyond its means. They built a grand Visitor Center in 2003, which was designed by Robert Stern, Dean of the Yale Architecture School and cost 19 million dollars. It has a wonderful film by Ken Burns, a large auditorium, and a beautiful gift shop. Now with mortgage problems, a sagging economy and the cost of energy, the Mark Train Home and Museum may have to close.

History repeats it self. This is the message on their home page now.

DOLLARS FOR TWAIN
The Mark Twain House & Museum needs your help to continue to operate. A donation, in any amount, will help us keep Twain's legacy alive and his Hartford home open for years to come. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Thank you

If you are in Connecticut, visit the Mark Tain house before it is too late. Even better join the museum or make a donation. Twain is one of our favorite authors and it would be a tragedy if somehow the Mark Twain Home was not open to the public.

What would Mark Twain say about all this?
"The lack of money is the root of all evil."

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com